Five Chinese nationals accused of killing their co-worker were found not guilty by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday.

Yang Pei Pei, Zeng Wenxuan, Zhao Chunxi, Xu Fuju and Lou Zaizun were acquitted of the murder of 25-year-old Chen Huaying, who was killed in her Phnom Penh apartment last year, judge Ly Lipmeng announced.

During the court hearing, Por Sen Chey district deputy police chief Toch Phan said the five suspects, who lived in the same apartment building, had been arrested as they were the only people in the compound at the time.

Later testing revealed that neither hairs found on the floor nor fingerprints on the murder weapon matched any of the accused, Lipmeng said.

A set of bloody footprints, which belonged to Yan Pei Pei, were determined to have been created when she saw the victim lying on the floor and broke into the room to help her.

Hav Sinath, lawyer for the five, welcomed the court’s decision, saying it was “just” for his clients.

A new suspect was identified after the head of the compound’s security detail testified that security guard Orn Sanghar, who was on duty the night of the murder, subsequently disappeared without reason. The court has handed the case back to the prosecutor for reinvestigation.